Heads of Senate and lower house speak of unity against US “aggression”
The president of the Brazilian Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, affirmed Wednesday (Jul. 16) that the National Congress is united in defending Brazilian interests against what he termed an “aggression” by the US government when it announced it will charge a 50-percent import tariff on Brazilian products as of August 1.
“I’ve talked a lot with [lower house] speaker Hugo Motta about the latest events, and we understand that we, the Legislative Branch, are going to defend national sovereignty, the jobs of Brazilians, and Brazilian entrepreneurs,” he said after a meeting with Motta and Brazil’s vice-President Geraldo Alckmin.
“I’m also convinced that this process has to be led by the Executive Branch. This international diplomatic affair must be dealt with by the head of state,” he added, before pondering that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was right to delegate to Alckmin—who is also in charge of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services—the task of chairing the committee set up to discuss solutions to the measures unveiled by the White House.
“At this time of aggression towards Brazil and Brazilians, which is not right, we have to be firm, resilient, and treat this relationship calmly as we seek to strengthen ties and make things happen,” said Alcolumbre, who is also head of the National Congress.
In the view of the lower house speaker, the US threat has produced “another moment of national unity” in Brazil—“unity on behalf of the country, to protect our industry, our jobs, our diplomatic relations,” he remarked, recalling that in April this year Congress approved the Trade Reciprocity Law, authorizing the Brazilian government to adopt trade measures against countries and blocs that impose barriers on Brazilian products in the global market. President Lula signed the bill into law on Monday (14).
“Just as we unanimously approved this tool that the government now has in its hands to guarantee the protection of our country and our businesses, we are ready to stand behind the Executive Branch—so that we can take prompt action in decisions that require Parliament,” the lower house speaker stated, further arguing that the Brazilian people understand that “external decisions” must not interfere with national sovereignty.
In addition to Alcolumbre, Motta, and Alckmin—who also emphasized the need for broad social sectors to unite in search of a solution—this morning’s meeting at the Senate’s official residence was attended by Chief of Staff Gleisi Hoffmann and a group of senators and federal representatives.
